University of Minnesota Athletics
Cameranesi Enjoying Career-Best Season
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Jan. 14, 2016
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - Midway through her junior season, Dani Cameranesi leads the Gophers and ranks third in the NCAA with 44 points on 21 goals and 23 assists. After earning Second Team All-American honors a year ago, the Plymouth, Minn., native is on pace for a career-best year.
Cameranesi has already worked her way into the Golden Gophers' all-time record books with another season yet to play.
Cameranesi posted 36 points in 41 games during her freshman season and 65 points in 40 games during her sophomore season. Throughout the 21 games she has played in the 2015-16 season, she already has 44 points.
"Individual success doesn't really come without my teammates," Cameranesi said. "Just being surrounded by so many great girls both on and off the ice I think helps a lot."
Cameranesi has skated alongside senior Hannah Brandt and freshman Sarah Potomak for a majority of the season; both are considered top players in the country.
Cameranesi, Brandt and Potomak combine for 124 points this season, which Cameranesi attributes to the chemistry the line has.
"I think that's a huge part of line success," Cameranesi said. "Being such great friends helps a lot with knowing where someone is going to be on the ice or what they're going to do."
As one of the best players in the country herself, Cameranesi has taken on a leadership role, as she is now an upperclassman.
"Mentoring comes easy after seeing all of the older girls over the past couple of years," Cameranesi said. "It was a lot easier to just lead by their example and do the things that they did to make a freshman and everyone else feel welcome."
Opposing teams often bring their best games to play against the Gophers, but Cameranesi thinks that it only benefits them in the long run.
"I think that also helps us in bringing out the best in ourselves and knowing how hard we have to push ourselves in order to beat other teams or stick with them in games," Cameranesi said.
Cameranesi hopes to end her junior season on a positive note, and as a result of being challenged every game; she believes the Gophers have the ability to do so.
"Our team goals are to win the WCHA, WCHA playoffs, then hopefully make our way to the national championship," Cameranesi said.
"I think it's very important to know the things that you have to do in order to be able to win when you get into those tight games. To believe in ourselves and our ability and knowing that we are able to win I think helps a lot of the time."
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